We found Fika centrally located and decided it was a good place to start exploring historic Snow Hill. An available free street parking spot in front of the Fika entrance was an invitation impossible to ignore.
The two of us enjoyed coffee and shared a bear claw mid-morning on a weekday. My black cold brew was surprisingly delicious: very pleasing smooth full body. They obviously don't skimp on coffee in their recipe based on that one cup. Excellent!
There were few customers within at the time, yet a steady stream of customers seeking something to takeaway assured us it was a popular choice locally. That's a good sign too.
Service was friendly and our coffee and pastry were good. We might have eaten more but salad and sandwich selections in a self-serve cooler were very limited. For example, only one pre-made sandwich was available. It's unclear if there were normally more choices.
It's obvious that the owners made a substantial and thoughtful effort in building out this space. The ambiance is remarkably comfortable and welcoming. It's the kind of place that beckons. So, if I were a local patron, it would be a place I'd feel comfortable taking family or even have a business discussion.
Coffee bean roasting on-site makes this place especially interesting and preferable to other coffee shops, and it is expressed in their coffee drinks. People who roast IMO, are people who are committed to craft quality. We bought a few bags of beans for home and gifts. Excellent freshness given the roast dates printed on bags.
The restroom was accessible, clean, and well supplied.
A separate room for kids was a delightful surprise. Of course, we assumed any children will be under supervision - it is not a playhouse. See photo.
Personal touches such as a curated book collection (Jack Kerouac!), and mug selection added uniquely to creating a sense of home. You enjoy a warm reception to relax here.
I'd prefer the interior lighting be dimmer (yet love the overhead fixture fabric covers!) and indirect, and that the background music be lower volume smooth jazz channel. Doing this would, I believe, create a deeper sense of intimacy and privacy which leads to more useful contemplation - an island of sanity in a world of shifting winds and currents. But there is nothing wrong with the current setup at all.
Having worked in Sweden, I admire the owners/operators who seek to use Fika to remind us of different and beneficial lifestyles that are proven foundational to happiness. In that regard, this Fika, hits the spot.
I hope to return whenever in the area. read more